Harty's first two Dubai starters run 1-2

Eoin Harty was successful with his first two runners in Dubai Thursday night as Night Prey and Bold Enjoyment finished one-two in a seven-furlong maiden race at Nad Al Sheba.

Harty, who is based at Santa Anita from April to November when he trains Godolphin's American juveniles, has retained control of 10 3-year-olds for the Dubai winter season in addition to 54 2-year-olds who will ultimately be shipped to either Santa Anita or Arlington.

The Jade Hunter colt Night Prey, who had been at Santa Anita last year, was making his debut Thursday. He rallied under Frankie Dettori to lead at the sixteenth pole to defeat Bold Enjoyment, a son of Unbridled who had finished sixth in his only previous start at Arlington on Oct. 20. The winning margin was 2 1/2 lengths, while the final time was 1:24.77.

Harty said Thursday that he would speak to Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager, on Friday about future plans. Both Night Prey and Bold Enjoyment, Harty said, are entered in the UAE 2000 Guineas on Feb. 28, and the UAE Derby on March 23. Neither, however, is entered in the Triple Crown at this time.

On Sunday night at Nad Al Sheba, Harty will saddle Stage Show in a 7-1/2-furlong maiden on turf. A 3-year-old son of Theatrical, Stage Show was 11th in his lone start at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.

* In Hong Kong on Thursday night, a crowd of 88,864 jammed themselves into Sha Tin Racecourse to celebrate the Chinese New Year, ushering in the Year of the Horse. The program featured a pair of Hong Kong Group 1 races. Olympic Express took the Hong Kong Classic Mile, while Charming City landed the five-furlong Bauhinia Sprint Trophy. With an additional 9,217 fans at Happy Valley, the evening's betting handle totaled $160,891,000.